Best Opt Poems
“Of time you would make a stream upon whose
bank you would sit and watch its flowing…”
From On Time, by Kahlil Gibran
If you could imagine time as a beauteous spring
Blossoming your life, charming euphoric dreams
I am sure you will regret not having enough of it
Reveling fondly, vibrantly, on prairies, tributaries
Bouncing blue-tides gaily, buoying cerulean seas
Traversing through seasons without ever ceasing
Yet, it lengthens or shortens much to our chagrin
Depending on whether in happiness, or in grief,
Reminiscing in love, or despising pensive memories
Days of yesteryears, though long gone and spent
Seeds that were sown then, now produce harvests
Either wailing in laments, or lauding of goodness
Time yet to come may find~ a tomorrow elusive
So invest it on today, elevating it to exhilarating
When your song is playing, opt to waltz and sing
Paint time immortal on portrait of angelic deeds
Hang on the walls of future your timeless legacy
Be the finite world priceless, that ticks to infinity
Let your time accumulate to meaningful centuries,
Don’t watch it pass you by, decaying in unworthy,
Offer time an inspiration to build your own destiny
November 7, 2021
Placed 1st: “T” Contest, New or Old Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Constance La France
Theme: Time
Categories:
opt, time,
Form:
Verse
You see us everywhere you go
Every corner of your street house our offspring
Every bridge in your city has become our refugee camp
We are the people you call peasant
We are the peasants with pleasant rags
You see us at the entrance of your estates
You see us at the gate of your beautiful companies
In search of what our mouth will feed on next
We are the peasants with pleasant rags
Our gradually fading skin
Now a sweet companion to the midnight moon and afternoon sun
We are the ones without homes
We are the peasants with pleasant rags
When bridges become forbidden by the law
We opt for uncompleted buildings
A few of us get lucky when it rains
And shield themselves under cars
We are the peasants with pleasant rags
We are the ones that beg for the remnant from your table
We are the ones life has just not been fair to
We are the peasants with pleasant rags
We are the ones that get poorer while you get richer
We are the ones that scramble for the leftover at your feast
We are the ones that fight for your used clothes
We are the peasants with pleasant rags
Categories:
opt, morning, poverty, rain, storm,
Form:
Free verse
(Dedication: For Dave Wood)
Do follow feel, do simple write;
Align your flow, align your say;
Voice lines that heal, voice verse that cite;
Echo fond glow, echo fond stay.
Watch feelings surge, watch intent spur;
Opt for plain smile, opt for clear poise;
Options emerge, options recur;
Deed springs fine style, deed hurls fond voice.
Passion greets choice, passion meets peer;
Offer to cast, offer to soar;
Endow your voice, endow your cheer;
Trust first and last, trust tact and oar.
Leon Enriquez
09 mar 2014
Singapore
Categories:
opt, tribute,
Form:
Acrostic
Blessed in abundance that manifests in our
stressed daily interaction with our fellow man, and the sincerest
form of our inner wellbeing is the outpour of laughter.
Dormant in the face of adversity, while we empathise with
modern populace at large and try to bring some
modicum of humanity and relief of the pain.
We’d all experience this from time to time and this is
seed of essence in our reality that is forever fraught.
Felled by ulterior motives – punished like Sisyphus by our
fellow peers – as the dulcet tones of compliments, the sweetest
wrung encouragement that soothed our souls like songs
sung at our cradle; the melodies now forgotten. They are
symbols indelibly edged into our subconscious and those
cymbals that tend to want to drown us out so that
we spin in the vortex, but vector us towards the stories to tell.
Be it to explain the tumultuous emotions raging beneath the surface of
our designer exterior – this is by far the saddest
hour and we, eventually, rather opt for the dilatory thought.
Our sincerest laughter
With some pain is fraught;
Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought.
Percy Bysshe Shelly – To a Skylark
Categories:
opt, introspection,
Form:
Verse
This morning I went shopping
Tripped over, started hopping
My milk bottle it went slopping
The store cleaner began mopping
I hobbled out of the store
Got caught in the sliding door
Lost my wallet and now I’m poor
I really can’t take anymore
Then I fell on to my knees
Dropped my bag and my car keys
Gave out a massive sneeze
And then began to wheeze
I found my red sports car
The door it was ajar
They’d stolen my Snickers bar
It really was quite bizarre
I jumped behind the wheel
I began to shout and squeal
Why my Snickers did they steal -
It really was quite surreal
My shopping trip was tough
I was feeling pretty rough
I drove off in a huff –
I’d really had enough
Had an ache in my poor old head
Drove home and went to bed
Shopping trip left me half dead …
Will opt for home delivery instead!
I thought I’d pen a rhyme
With words that are sublime
I hope this one is fine
And in the list will shine
05~28~15
Contest:- Rhyme Time
Sponsor:- Pendleton Arkwright
Categories:
opt, humorous,
Form:
Rhyme
Nature smiles in Spring
Pulls at our heart string
as greenery's hued in greener tinge
Having had an everlasting effect
on those evergreen trees.
Nature frowns in Autumn
gets all bored, pale and blue in the fall
Almost seems to sigh drily, wryly
Looks dull and drab
except for the windy breeze.
And this very mother nature
in full-blown winter
gives all the cold shoulder
Reveals her cold-hearted side
Could'st turn into a cold-blooded murderer
Even her nature lovers get cold feet
Besides, the winter sun is cold comfort .
A time for a A-tishoo in your tissue
a time for the noisy sneeze
Oh! Beware her icy glare, in the cold war
as she coerces all to freeze!
Ah, in summer, nature boils and goes into a 'heated debate'
What with the burning sun and its scorching torment
Ah, she can be hot-tempered this mother nature
But let the sweltered ones bathe in the seven seas
and opt for sundaes instead of steaming teas.
And if you really wish to see
mother nature fuming in fury
Behold it in thunderstorm and hurricane
You crouched safely behind the window pane
For she might storm at you quite violently
Watch out! She could get real stormy
Better stay out of her way at such times please!
And hee hee I do hope yah like
my seasoned seasonal pun
It's fine here to have
some fair weather fun
And take mom Nature's pic as she says cheese!
Yet the point here, she's created as are all mothers
implying God, not she herself could have made all of these
And so like all God's creatures who have free will
she's fallible and perhaps at times free to do as she please.
(Though some bad weather conditions can be due to human pollution in repercussion.)
Categories:
opt, muse, nature, seasons,
Form:
Tail-rhyme
We read about the slaughter in a place far overseas,
where the multicultural blending has been there for centuries.
Where church of all denominations have been standing side by side.
Where neighbours have been neighbourly; respect seemed to abide.
Seems that politics and power can infiltrate a settled mind;
dig up and open wounds of what is yours and what is mine,
take citizens back into time and drag out all their roots …
be wary of your ogre neighbour, they have a gun that shoots.
Begin to see those simple folk who lived their simple lives,
follow restlessly and blindly as belief or race revives,
those that helped them yesterday really had a cunning plan,
all they really wanted was, to find a way to cut you down.
Throw them all out on the streets; run them out of town.
Ethnic cleanse the country to make it pure and sound.
If they refuse to leave our home and opt to make a stand -
build a force of vigilantes, to roam and cut them down.
What started as a trickle soon turns into a flood.
The cup that fills with honey can also be filled with blood.
The taste that once was bitter now is the taste that's lusted for,
when seeking out the enclaves to go killing more and more.
A house, once a home of peace stands a shattered monument,
to let the remnants hanging on know what to expect.
Heads displayed on pikes are cheered; graves hold hundreds more.
Babes are sport for bayonets; forgot is what we're fighting for.
Can't live side by side now; there's too much terror going on.
Battle lines are clearer; the sane have taken leave and gone.
Cannons roaring day and night; lines must stand holding fast.
For anyone that's over-run, that day becomes their last.
When the dust has settled and the criminals are hung,
Hate subsides back to the memory; the clean-up has begun.
Do we realize as bloodstains fade; we have a deep rooted call …
needing one spark to set us off - there could be murder in us all.
Categories:
opt, conflict, fear,
Form:
Rhyme
She walks with dreams, deep passions woo,
Into euphoric ambience of a moonlit night
Carrying sweet secret, so intimate and true,
Sprouting in her womb blossoms of delight.
Though they are together, he feels all alone,
Trapped in turbulence of memories unkind,
Nothing she can say would emotions atone
Grief of matrimony he chose to leave behind.
Agitating unspoken, dissonant pulse of strife
His turmoiled heartbeats now brutally amplify
Frightened by weary past to embrace a new-life
When spiteful bonds of yore earnestly decry.
She tries, yet decides, now is not the time
Waiting till moon and stars are so inclined
To witness with Venus, dear-moment sublime
And unveil the script that destiny designed.
Clenched clandestine vibes utter a soft sigh
As happily her stomach churns butterflies;
And, until next-time, she bids him goodbye,
When they’ll guess the color of baby’s eyes.
Vulnerable she feels now, how will he react:
Will he welcome baby, yet harp in the past?
Will he face with courage or opt to retract?
Convulsed, she shudders~ will this love last?
May 5, 2023
Placed 1st: Pick-A-Title, Vol 36 – Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Edward Ibeh
Categories:
opt, love hurts,
Form:
Rhyme
Alliteration always awesome
Ballad beyond barnyard basics
Crystalline calls careful consonants,
Diamante delivers deeply
Enthusiasm excites eager ears,
Fanciful frolicking faerie
Generously gives grateful glee
Hyping haiku to heavenly heights,
Imagery and imagination
Jubilantly jumping joyfully,
Kimo kindles king-sized kingpin,
Lamenting the lily-livered lunacy
Momentous muse modulates melody,
Necromancer normalizes Neverland,
Opulent Opalescent orchestras opt
To pollute poetry previously pristine.
Quixotic quorum of questioners
Respond and recover rhymes rapidly
Serendipitous sentimentality
Turns timely tanka traitorously toward
Unmistakably understated Uranus,
Vindicating verses vilifying Vashti.
Whacking wannish warblers west,
‘Xaggerating ‘Xtemperaneous X’tra special poems
Yet yielding a yeomanly yearning toward
A zealous zany zingaroo of zest.
Categories:
opt, 10th grade, 11th grade,
Form:
Alliteration
The longing for beloved, like a moth longing for flame,
extinguishing it's own fire, admiring it's own pain,
with the bejeweled beauty of stars and moonlight
I find you engulfed in the scent of my unforgiving plight.
The damage your absence did has never been aided,
the scars I have been carrying have never faded.
Your body might be aligned with roses and dust
but I'm still holding onto the blade of proses and lust.
The deeper it cut, the better it turn me into pieces,
for a poor, vulnerable, tortured soul, only left in traces.
Since centuries, conspiracies against you have allied with dove,
agony, misery, calvary, woe, curse, they say, but I opt for love.
Categories:
opt, 12th grade, absence, addiction,
Form:
Rhyme
Mankind seeks dominion, and takes it all by brute force..
we took the trees, to have roads, companies and buildings all in a rush...
we mined for gold , not caring the cost..
looking back we realize we should have taken another course..
for every tree cut, another should have been planted of course!
we didn't do that, and so the forests got sparse,the soil got coarse..
beautiful cities emerged, wow! who would have thought?!
with them however, man got spoilt,
we stopped walking, and in came the cars,those were classy, but they came with emissions and noise.
Hahaha, the ozone layer gets burned..
even light bulbs emit spurts,
now the sun shines ,not to warm, but to scorch..
The rains come to nourish our crops and then take our houses with flood..
Enough !
Now we must retrace our steps, and chart a new course..
we must plant a tree for everyone we cut..
no more indiscriminate burning let each waste/refuse be properly disbursed..
we must opt for alternative energy resource..
let us keep mother-earth as much as we can,Green , rich and Pure.
Categories:
opt, nature, tree, tree,
Form:
Rhyme
Ask and wish bold, ask for clear sight;
Dare to seek out, dare to be brave;
Reach and unfold, reach your true light;
Explore grand bout, explore your crave;
Allow your heart, allow your soul;
Mind that fond dream, mind knows the way.
Choice helps you start, choice makes you whole;
Opt for fine theme, opt not to stray.
Move your world now, move your thoughts forth;
Embrace your dream, embrace your play.
Touch and endow, touch and go north;
Reap your grand scheme, reap your sure day.
Use your time here, use your days well;
Explore rich space, explore and tell.
Leon Enriquez
08 November 2014
Singapore
Categories:
opt, blessing,
Form:
Sonnet
HOW OFTEN DO I SAY
My God,
h o w o f t e n do I say that I love you?
Did I when You give me message and I speak?
Did I when You give the Bible and I read?
Did I when You give me directions and I obey?
Did I when I followed Christ, Your Son?
Each time tears roll under my cheeks it's You I run to call
A breath of prayer my succulent squeeze of shaping hope
and hence, Your ways and answers will be revealed whole
I trust You'll crash every fears that crumbles my whole!
Every beat of my heart belongs to You.
Every amazing thoughts in my mind comes from You.
And I acknowledge Your ever faithful presence;
As I open my eyes when I wake up;
the soft brush of sunlight kissing my skin
the tiptoeing fall to dagger pour of rain
the bubble bloom of blossoms tickling my nose
The chirping birds I hear each time I sit and pray.
Every pats.
Squeeze.
hugs...
Oh! they truly remind me, how You love me.. :)
And so...
I love You my God
that each day I live...
I long to serve You
in every talk
in every walk
I love You my God
that I opt
to pass each test
You put me through
I love You my God
that just by thinking of You
it makes me smile
It makes me wanna say
thank You.
thank You
and T H A N K Y O U...
© O. E. Guillermo
October 23, 2014; 11:22 pm
***Inspired by my favorite Bible verses:
Matthew 22:37: ''YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.''
Psalm 118: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;his love endures forever.
Categories:
opt, feelings, longing, love, prayer,
Form:
Dramatic Monologue
Everything in my past,
has shaped me into who I am today
Daughter I'm fine
Thinking on all the years we had
which you today opt out of
Actions, decisions and choices
My world is hushed and silent
No laughter from grandchildren
every soft embrace is faded
A million words would not brings you back,
none of your puzzle pieces fit together
There is pain on both sides
Daughter I hope you are fine
I cannot live with drama and lies
We often want to avoid unpleasant feelings
and lose touch with who we are
But you must be ready
and emotionally available
Our emotions are a compass
indicative when we makes choices
Nothing is impossible
you are a part of my heart
16.11.2020
Sun :) - A-L Andresen :)
Copyright © All Rights Reserved
It's a part of me /Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Silent One
1st place in the contest
Categories:
opt, daughter, emotions, family, love,
Form:
Narrative
'Tis another glorious spring and I planted my garden with the expectation,
That I shall reap a bountiful harvest for my table with minimum frustration!
I planted the usual stuff - carrots, radishes, onions and termaters,
Watermelons, peas, corn, beans and a few hills of russet pertaters.
With the Good Lord's help, lots of sun and occasional showers of rain,
The seeds sprang to life along with some curses that are my infernal bane!
I've discovered that I have a healthy crop of weeds that need attention,
And a host of other intrusive visitors that I'll proceed to mention!
I was dismayed to discover legions of caterpillars and mealy bugs,
Pruning my plants along with hordes of ugly snails and slimy slugs!
They're even being attacked from below by gophers and moles,
And from above by crows making diving sorties from the clothesline poles!
'Coons, 'possums and wabbits at raiding my garden are very deft,
And armies of well-disciplined ants are gleaning what is left!
I even caught some nasty little kids filching a watermelon last night!
I chased them but those little dudes took off with the speed of light!
With a storm of wind and hail this morn I saw all my labor disappear!
Come next spring I think I shall opt to sit on the patio and guzzle beer!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Categories:
opt, funny, spring, garden, spring,
Form:
Couplet